May 18, 2006. Copyright 2006, Graphic News. All rights reserved

Volvo S80 -- valiant attempt to match German maestros
By Neil Winton

LONDON, May 18, Graphic News:  When you first look at the new Volvo S80, youÕll probably think that itÕs a nice looking car, maybe uncannily like the old one; but well, nice.

So you might be interested in what Volvo says about its latest creation.

ÒThe inspiration for the car very much comes from nature. ItÕs like how water has formed a coastline or how the flow of a stream cutting though the landscape feels very natural and comfortable. The exterior has a similar shape as the grey cliffs by the ocean, gently rounded by the water but still holding on to their sharp distinctive featuresÓ.

This is of course a car big enough to seat five in comfort, which boasts a 4.4 litre V8 engine, four-wheel drive, and spews out 284 grams of CO2 for every kilometre it moves. But Volvo knows that it has to fend off leading luxury marques like BMW, Mercedes, Audi, Lexus and Jaguar if its new car is to be successful, so some hype is inevitable.

First impressions are good. The interior is beautifully designed. The car is a bit bigger than the old one, with a wider track and longer wheelbase, but that doesnÕt generate much extra room inside. This extra space has been commandeered to make better crumple zones and passenger protection, including new side collision airbags with two chambers, one for the hips and one for the chest.

There will be five different engines -- the top of the range V8, a 3.2 litre 238 bhp straight six and 2.5 litre 200 bhp, and two diesels -- the D5, a 2.4 litre five-cylinder 185 bhp, and a 2.4 litre 163 bhp motor.

Prices start at £24,400 (Û35,200) for the least powerful diesel S version, and peak out at a whopping £41,725 (Û60,299) for the V8.

The best selling S80 in Europe is likely to be the D5, and although it was a bit noisier than expected when pressed on the roads around the resort of Bastad in southern Sweden, it powered the car along with terrific acceleration and quietness on the motorway. The six-cylinder automatic box was unobtrusive and efficient. Handling was impeccable, although not up to the electrifying standard set by the BMW 5 series.

This being a Volvo, you expect new safety ideas. The S80 has Adaptive Cruise Control, which keeps a safe distance from the car in front. It also has Collision Warning with Brake Support, which primes the brakes for action if it detects an imminent collision, and flashes a head-up display suggesting you brake without delay. A blind spot indicator warns you if a car is overtaking out of sight of your wing mirror.

Even the key contributes to safety. It will tell you if an intruder is in your car when you approach it at night by sensing the presence of an alien heartbeat.

Volvo wonÕt win any prizes for its high-falutinÕ bombast, but the new S80Õs combination of class, safety and price makes it an interesting and appealing choice.
/ENDS